The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Public Assistance grants to Vermont communities to repair damaged infrastructure after
a Presidentially declared disaster. The State typically contributes half of the required 25 non-Federal match for approved projects. Under the proposed Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF) rule, municipalities have 24 months to adopt additional flood hazard mitigation measures to maintain the State cost share for FEMA Public Assistance grants. Communities that adopt a higher standard can achieve a higher percentage of state funding for post-disaster repair projects. Communities that have not adopted the basic set of hazard mitigation measures will see a decrease in the State match, from 12.5 to 7.5.
Implementation of the new ERAF incentives rules will result in long term savings to the state and local communities.

Persons Affected:

All communities and local agencies through the state will be affected.

Economic Impact:

Most towns would see no significant change under the new ERAF Rule, as many have already accomplished many of the basic flood hazard mitigation measures outlined in the proposed rule. A few dozen towns will incur a slight reduction of state cost share funds, if they fail to comply with the new ERAF Rule. However, the proposed rule is structured in this way to create an incentive for communities to adopt additional flood hazard mitigation measures, while providing adequate time to comply. In the final analysis, Vermont communities and the state as a whole would realize significant cost savings in the long term under the new ERAF Rule.